Pope Francis addresses Christian Leaders and Leaders of Other Religions

Pope Francis meets Christian leaders and leaders of other religions at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, telling them co-operation and mutual respect are needed more than ever in a world filled with complex challenges.

In 1897, Thailand’s King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) visited Rome and met Pope Leo XIII, the first time that a non-Christian Head of State was received in the Vatican. 

King Chulalongkorn’s vision, according to the University’s incumbent President, was to “provide higher education for students from all walks of life regardless of their gender, social status, ethnic or economic background, or religious faith”, and on that premise the university that bears his name was founded in 1917… Read more »

Ara siltiet mill-Assemblea Djoċesana

Il-Ħamis 21 ta’ Novembru 2019, ingħata bidu għall-Assemblea Djoċesana 2019. Matulha ġie ppreżentat il‑working document tal‑Pjan Pastorali għall‑Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta għall-erba’ snin li ġejjin (2020-2023), mid‑Delegat Episkopali għall‑Evanġelizzazzjoni, Dr Nadia Delicata.

Dan il‑working document bit‑tema ‘Knisja Waħda, Vjaġġ Wieħed – Proċess ta’ Dixxerniment Ekkleżjali 2020‑2023’, huwa ispirat mir-rakkont tad-dixxipli ta’ Emmaws (Lk 24:13-35). Inkiteb wara konsultazzjoni wiesgħa li saret matul dawn l‑aħħar xhur ma’ għadd ta’ persuni involuti f’diversi ħidmiet tal‑Knisja u tas-soċjetà Maltija… Read more »

Pope Francis at the Parish of St Peter for his meeting with Priests, Religious, and Seminarians

Pope Francis meets with priests, religious, consecrated men and women, seminarians and catechists in Bangkok, and shares guidelines on how to achieve apostolic fruitfulness, and on what it means to be a Christian

The Pope began by expressing his gratitude “for all those consecrated persons who, by the silent martyrdom of fidelity and daily commitment, have borne great fruit.” He also gave thanks “for all those catechists and elderly consecrated men and women who drew us into the love and friendship of Jesus Christ.”  

Being thankful

The history of each of our vocations “is marked by those people who helped us discover and discern the fire of the Spirit”, said Pope Francis, which is why it is so important to be thankful… Read more »

Pope Francis meets the Buddhist Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, Ariyavongsagatanana IX

On his first full day in Thailand, Pope Francis meets the Buddhist Supreme Patriarch and confirms the Church’s commitment to open and respectful dialogue in the service of peace.

The meeting took place on Thursday morning at the Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Temple in Bangkok.

A lasting friendship

In his address to the Pope, the Buddhist Supreme Patriarch Ariyavongsagatanana IX recalled the historic visit of Pope Saint John Paul II to his predecessor 35 years ago, a meeting at which he had been present… Read more »

The first leg of Pope Francis’ 32nd apostolic visit abroad takes him to Thailand. He goes in the footsteps of Pope Saint John Paul II who visited the country in 1984.

Ninety five percent of the Thai population is Buddhist. But Thailand is also a land of interreligious dialogue and respect for diversity. Christians in Thailand have enjoyed freedom of worship ever since the Portuguese arrived in the nation in 1511, planting the first seeds of the Gospel… Read more »

Pope Francis sent a video message to the people of Japan in the lead-up to his visit there at the end of this week, noting that they are a people who knows well the “suffering caused by war.” The pope will visit Japan from November 23 to 26.

“Together with you, I pray that the destructive power of nuclear weapons will never be unleashed again in human history.”

The Holy Father reiterated the Church’s teaching, based on the indiscriminate effects of nuclear weapons, which bring the death of non-combatants as well as military personnel: “The use of nuclear weapons is immoral.”

As the Catechism notes for one of the conditions for a war to be considered “just”:

– the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated… Read more »